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To escape the skyscrapers and busy highways of America’s fourth-largest city, residents of Houston, Texas, can choose from more than 350 city parks to leisurely stroll woodland or bayou trails, play outdoor sports, picnic or just relax by a pond or public garden. Because of Houston's subtropical climate, parks are popular year-round. More than a dozen Houston city parks have gazebos, where you can celebrate a wedding or other special event, meet friends or just enjoy the shade; there are usually one or more benches inside these covered open-air structures. For a fee and refundable deposit, the Houston Parks and Recreation Department issues permits for private use of city park facilities and designated open spaces.

Houston's Oldest Park

Named for the president of the Republic of Texas after the former Mexican territory won its independence before joining the United States, Sam Houston Park became the city’s first public park in 1899. The 20-acre park contains a gazebo, a children’s zoo, wading pool, a wetlands garden and wooden bridges. For history buffs, this downtown park is also home to the Houston Heritage Society Museum.

Sesquicentennial Park

To celebrate Houston’s 150th birthday in 1986, Sesquicentennial Park was established in the downtown theater district. In addition to a gazebo, the park features seven 70-foot-tall stainless steel pillars created to celebrate the city’s history, a promenade and hike-and-bike trails. The Common is a crescent-shaped lawn that has been used to stage concerts and other outdoor events.

A Park With a Quiosco

Hidalgo Park, established in 1927 east of downtown, is locally famous for its "quiosco" -- the Spanish word for "gazebo," a unique structure with columns and railings designed to resemble tree trunks. This 11.5-acre park was a neighborhood endeavor from the start, with nearby residents raising funds to purchase the land for it. A wooden playground later added to the park was partially built with funds collected by neighborhood children.

Where Buffalo Roam

A herd of buffalo roams a sprawling fenced exhibit on the grounds of Alexander Deussen Park, located near the shores of Lake Houston. A water gazebo sits at the edge of the lake near the park's boat ramps. The park also has a fishing pier, duck pond, dog park, shaded playground, senior center and more than 200 picnic tables. The 300-acre park was named for a Texas petroleum geologist who donated the land to the city in 1956.

Remembering World War I

Memorial Park was built west of downtown Houston on the former grounds of Camp Logan to remember the thousands of soldiers trained at the military facility during World War I. If you’re not relaxing under the park’s gazebo, which sits on landscaped grounds near a pond, you can get a workout at the 1,500-acre park’s 3-mile jogging trail or 6 miles of bike trails. Or play 18 holes at Memorial Park Golf Course. An outdoor swimming pool is free to use during summer months at the park, which is also home to the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center.

Other Park Gazebos

Other parks with gazebos include Bane Park, where the gazebo perches at the edge of a 5-acre pond, and Bay Area Park, with its flagstone walking trails along Armand Bayou. Matzke Park’s gazebo is located near a butterfly garden. In the city’s Houston Heights neighborhood, Marmion Park’s gazebo, topped with an ornate turret, is popular for weddings. Lakeview Park near Lake Houston has a nautical-themed playground and nature trails. On sunny days, you can tell the time by your shadow when standing on the giant sundial at Terry Hershey Park. Houston’s Tanglewood and Mason Parks also have gazebos.

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About the Author

S.R. Haines is a veteran writer whose work has been published by newspapers, magazines, international news wire services and nonprofit publications on topics ranging from breaking news and politics to travel, parenting, education, business and technology. She earned a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin.

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Houston, Texas In 1873. Bird'S Eye View Of The City Of Houston, Texas 1873, 1873. Lithograph (Hand-Colored), 23.2 X 30.1 In. Published By J. J. Stoner, Madison, Wis. Center For American History, The University Of Texas At Austin.